Replacement Etymotic mc3 earbuds

On 5 August 2011, before leaving on my trip to New Orleans and Washington D.C., I bought a pair of Etymotic mc3 earbuds, with a built-in microphone for use with my iPhone.

A few weeks ago, they failed in the ordinary way. At the connection points between the wire and the audio-in jack, the constant bending of the cable led to structural failure. The sound became distorted and intermittent. With other pairs, I have had the same thing happen at the junction point between one of the wires and one of the individual earbuds.

I sent them back to Etymotic with a copy of my Amazon receipt and a short note explaining the problem and today I received a brand new pair of mc3s in the mail. I think every pair of headphones I have ever purchased from Etymotic has been replaced free of charge (starting back in Oxford in 2005 or ’06).

My expectation when I buy Etymotic earbuds is that they will last for one year of heavy daily use. Then I will get them replaced once under warranty. Then, after about a year, the replacement earbuds will fail and I will buy a new pair.

I don’t know if their more expensive models are more durable. I may try a pair next time, to see whether the sound is better and whether the construction better withstands the abuses of life.

None of this should be taken as evidence that I am unsatisfied with Etymotic products. They are pretty great. The sound is good and they block off outside noise very effectively. It’s pretty amazing to have a product that fits in such a tiny space and which can turn anywhere into quite a good listening environment.

[Update: 19 December 2014] My latest pair of Etymotic earbuds failed today – one of the wires inside seems to have broken right near where it connects to my music player. Now, there is only sound in one ear. I will naturally need to replace them, and will probably go with another pair of Etys.

Yesterday, my replacement Etymotic mc3 earbuds failed in the ordinary way. At the connection points between the wire and the audio-in jack, the constant bending of the cable led to structural failure. The sound became distorted and intermittent.